PC won't start when printer on or plugged in

Ryan0r · 16 Apr 2009 at 13:38

A bit random sorry, but someone has probably run across this here.

I have a friend who has an old P4 Dell (GX260 midi or similar) and a new HP all in one printer. The PC won't start if the printer is plugged in and turned on. It gets to the BIOS, then hangs - black screen, white underscore top left like it's away to do something. Windows doesn't load.

If the printer is unplugged, or switched off, the PC boots fine. Once it's up, the printer can be plugged in/turned on and works perfectly, no issues.

What i've tried:
- Checking the BIOS to ensure it's not booting from USB (as the printer has card slots)
- Completely stripping out all HP software and reinstalling the bare drivers. Not sure this is the fault though, as it's not getting into Windows so can't be driver-related.

I'm guessing it's a power/USB issue. Ideas?

Thanks

Ucof · 16 Apr 2009 at 13:41

have you tried a different USB port?

Ryan0r · 16 Apr 2009 at 13:43

Yup, no dice.

Ucof · 16 Apr 2009 at 13:52

Tried a different cable?

PESolution · 16 Apr 2009 at 14:05

Is there a chance your mobo has a boot from usb drive type option enabled and your printer is pretty high spec

edit: oops you have already tried this, i should have read your post properly

Mel_P · 16 Apr 2009 at 14:13

I have an older P4 PC and I noticed after I updated to XP Sp2 that the USB ports are now a bit sensitive - if I leave certain things in the PC either complains with multiple beeps, is slow to start up, or won't start up. If I unplug all USB devices it's OK. I think it must be some USB driver update is "not quite right". So I think he (like me) is stuck with this problem.

Mel

Ucof · 16 Apr 2009 at 14:16

Are you on XP or Vista by the way?

Ryan0r · 16 Apr 2009 at 15:07

XP SP3

Was thinking of flashing the BIOS to current (if not already, but i seriously doubt it's been touched since purchase) to see if this helps.

Mel_P · 16 Apr 2009 at 16:25

Is it the BIOS or the USB "chips" - whatever they are?

Corasik · 16 Apr 2009 at 16:29

Do you have legacy USB mode enabled in bios? If normally used to let old "Dos" etc use USB Keyboard/Mouse, but it could be causing the bios to trip up when it spots the printer.

A bios flash is the kinda thing that might sort if, if dell have a more recent bios than the one it shipped with. Dell are pretty reasonable for an OEM for keeping their bios's updated.

Nobodys-Inn · 17 Apr 2009 at 09:59

I've heard about this before.

Couple of things to check.

1) Similar to what Corasik says, is there a USB emulation mode within the bios, if so turn it off.

2) It may be a capacitor problem. Check the motherboard for any bulging capacitors, Dells were notorious for them at the time of the GX 260,270 and 280 series, it may be that have the printer plugged in and switched on is causing the capacitors to fail/cut out, however you want to describe it.

3) how long is the cable that you are using to connect the printer to the usb port. There have been various issues with usb cables that are 9 or 10 inches long, can you get hold of a 6 inch cable and see if when using that you have the same issues.

Kelpie · 17 Apr 2009 at 10:04

Get them to disable USB legacy support in the BIOS.

Should solve the startup issue.

Mel_P · 17 Apr 2009 at 11:32

Kelpie said:
Get them to disable USB legacy support in the BIOS.

Should solve the startup issue.

Doesn't work for me unfortunately? Tried turning off lagacy support which was on "auto".

Mel P

EsaT · 17 Apr 2009 at 14:06

If you can have any other USB devices (like USB memory) connected and PC boots fine then it quite much points to printer doing something nonstandard.